Shockwave Therapy
Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy at HTC
Beat the Pain with ESWT
Shockwave therapy (or ESWT) is a non-surgical treatment, which works by delivering impulses of sound and air generated energy, targeted to specific damaged tissues within an abnormal tissue such as tendons or fascias. The radial shockwaves initiate an inflammation-like response in the injured/affected tissue that is being treated, and prompts the body to respond naturally by increasing blood circulation, the number of blood vessels, and therefore metabolism in the injured tissue. This process facilitates a healthy repair of the treated tissue(s). Currently, when correctly applied ESWT displays a remarkably high success rate in the treatment of a number of conditions such as:
Plantar Fasciitis Achilles tendinopathy
Epicondylitis (golfer/tennis elbow)
Shoulder tendon issues
Trochantic Bursitis (outside hip pain condition)
Furthermore, new treatments of other conditions are displaying early promising and similar results; such as with:
Trigger Finger
Some Mechanical Lower Back Pains
Patella Tendonitis (Quadriceps tendon)
Pes Anserenus Tendinopathy (Front/side knee pain)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Often misdiagnosed as classic shin splints)
What happens during Shockwave Therapy?
Your Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist will work with you to identify the exact area affected by your condition and apply a gel-like substance to the area to promote the process. A probe is lightly pressed onto the affected area and the shockwaves are delivered through the skin. The impulses are delivered through the skin as a shockwave that spreads inside the injured tissue as an aspherical ‘radial’ wave. The shockwaves are felt as pulses which are an uncomfortable experience. However, the level of pulse/discomfort can be altered manually to appropriate the patient’s tolerance level.
Typically your first treatment will start with a low level of intensity and increase. Each treatment session can take between 15 – 20 minutes.
What about recurring symptoms after ESWT is completed?
Both during and after the ESWT course of treatment your therapist will initiate some exercise with you to hone the newly repaired tissue as also advise on preventative measures to aid in preventing the condition in question from re-emerging.
Are you able to have Shockwave Therapy?
The law requires that all treating clinicians or therapists must complete a full assessment of a patient’s condition prior to applying any type of treatment modality. This includes the application of ESWT. A full medical history would be taken & a detailed Q&A regarding the patients presenting condition will take place. Following this, a thorough examination will take place and the appropriateness of ESWT discussed.
What should I expect following treatment?
Many patients experience some soreness following the treatment as the technique is an inflammatory process. Some conditions/patients feel an improvement in symptoms almost immediately following the first session, while others take several weeks to respond. You may notice reddening or swelling of the area with some patients experiencing a brief increase in pain. It may take a few weeks to see an overall benefit.